Golgart, the Le Sueur County Veterans Services officer, ran for the
Nicollet County Board last year — finishing third in a primary election
to determine the two finalists who would advance to the general
election.

Job creation and Highway 14 improvements would be priorities, according to Golgart.

“We need a common-sense leader at the Capitol who can get people back
to work in Minnesota,” he said in a statement announcing his candidacy.
“If elected, I will prioritize the completion of the four-lane expansion
of Highway 14, which is critical to improving the business climate and
growing jobs in our community. Furthermore, I will use my experience in
veterans services to ensure that our men and women who have served on
the front lines are not returning to stand in unemployment lines.”

Golgart retired after 20 years in the Army, working as the Le Sueur County Veterans Services office since 2000.

Golgart and his wife Lucy have two sons, one of whom is serving in Afghanistan and the other who serves as a MPS police officer.

In a three way primary race for Nicollet County District 1 commissioner last year, Golgart received 9.2 percent of the vote, the Herald reported in August.

Since Golgart ran for commissioner, there's more available in the press about his views than for the DFL and IP candidates. In Three compete for commissioner seat in Aug. 14 Primary, Golgart pledge to work to repeal unfunded mandates, but also took a position that might put him at odds with the House GOP caucus if voters send him to St. Paul:

Pressing issues: Increase the number of jobs that are
available in the area. Increase the amount of collaboration with cities,
townships and other counties. Work with the State and Federal
Governments to decrease the number of unfunded mandates and increase the
amount of Local Government Aid which has been decreased the last few
years.

Update: While running for county commissioner, Golgart also told the Mankato Free Press that he wants no more state aid cuts to counties, and favors expanding rural public transit:

He said the biggest issue counties are facing is state aid cuts." They
all have seen a cut and they have to find that money elsewhere," he
said.

Golgart said transportation is another important issue, considering
there is no public transportation outside of St. Peter and North
Mankato. He said he's working with a Region Nine Development Commission
group to develop a rural transit plan.

A 20-year Army retiree, Golgart is currently serving as the Le Sueur
County Veterans Service Officer, a position he has held since 2000. He
started his Army Career in Law Enforcement as a Military Policeman and
Military Police Investigator. The final 10 years of his career he spent
in Recruiting Command. Jim and his wife Lucy have lived in St Peter for
the last 16 years. They have 2 children James Jr. and Benjamin who is
currently serving on active duty with the United States Army stationed
in Germany currently deployed to Afghanistan. Jim also has 1 grandson
named Austin.

Golgart quickly became
involved with the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs and the
National Association of County Veterans Service Officers. He currently
serves as the national organization’s treasurer.

“Being involved in the associations,” Golgart explained, “I’ve
made a lot of contacts. When someone comes into our office, we might not
be able to do everything for that person, but we know who can help.”

Golgart looks like a contender. Given the strength of the DFL and IP candidates, this mid-winter special election looks like it's going to the Thriller in the Chiller.

Editor's note: perhaps so, but Golgart was speaking as the president of a non-partisan organization when he made those remarks. What Bluestem hears is that as a veterans' service officer, Golgart is always a professional, working effectively for veterans without bringing his personal political stances into his work for vets. Bluestem thinks that in a time when citizens want politicians to quit bickering and get their work done, this quality--rather than party purity--would be an asset. But we're not delegates to the endorsing convention--and it will be their decision.